Napoli would be who I’d go after first if I was running the Sox. He’s two years younger than LaRoche. More flexible too, obviously, as he can catch even if he is more likely to play first base in Boston. He had an off year in 2012 but still smacked 24 homers in 108 games and took a lot of walks.

LaRoche hit .271/.343/.510 with 33 homers and drove in 100 in 2012. And he’s slick with the glove. But one gets the sense that that was a peak. He hasn’t been a substantially above-average hitter like often in his career. Hard to gauge him though, however, due to the shoulder injury and surgery he had in 2011. 2012 could be the new normal for him. Or it could be a feel-good year fluke.

Of course at the moment the Red Sox are looking to replace James Loney, so it’s not like either of them wouldn’t be a massive improvement.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Angels will acquire second baseman Ian Kinsler from the Tigers. It is not known yet what the Tigers will receive in return. Kinsler had to waive his no-trade clause in order for the deal to happen.

Kinsler, 35, hit .236/.313/.412 with 22 home runs, 52 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in 613 plate appearances for the Tigers this past season. He’s in the final year of his contract and will earn $10 million for the 2018 season.

The Angels were certainly looking to upgrade at second base and did so with Kinsler. They were also reportedly interested in Cesar Hernandez of the Phillies.